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RFI LOG
| Project Name: | 249E Road Surfacing and Stabilization - Apache-Sitgreaves NF |
| Solicitation No. | 127EAX26Q0071 |
| Solicitation Date 4 Aug 2026 | RFI Close Date 21 Aug 2026 |
| RFI # |
| DESCRIPTION |
| RESPONSE |
| 001 |
| Will all the work be allowed to be performed in one mobilization? |
| Yes. This is preferred. Contractors should not begin work until the lignin has been ordered and prepared to be utilized for the contract. |
| 002 |
| Is there a specific time of the year you want this work to be performed? |
| Time can be scheduled with the Forest Service. It is expected the delivery of the lignin may take some time. Work should not be done during the winter as conditions are not optimal for use of lignin and ground work. |
| 003 |
| Water - Would we be allowed to pull water out of Cresent or Big Lake? |
| No. Contractor is responsible for hauling water to the site. WATER CANNOT BE PULLED FROM CRESCENT OR BIG LAKE OR ANY STREAMS. Contractor shall include relevant water costs in the line items they are incidental for in their bids. |
| 004 |
| Water 2 - If no to above is there a known source that water usually comes from for these projects? |
| Water can be purchased in the town of Springerville or Alpine or other locations. Haul is ~1hr to the site. Contractor can also potentially work out some kind of agreement to purchase water from the reservation/Sunrise Ski Resort. |
| 005 |
| Are we limited to finishing a certain length of roadway in its entirety prior to starting another area, or do we have access to the entire length of roadway? |
| The base line item is for the length of the NFSR 24 from start to the NFSR 24/26 intersection. This will be required for the contract. The option items listed in the Schedule of Items includes unit costs per 0.1 miles and 1 miles of additional work where award will be conditional on contractor bid and government funding available. |
| 006 |
| Another project in the same area is out for solicitation (NFSR 24). |
0. Will that project need to be completed prior to the start of this one?
0. Access to that project will require truck traffic over a portion of this project!
ii. Of course, it would be nice if the same contractor was low on each.
There is the NFSR 24 stabilization and preservation project. A) no the project will not need to be completed prior to the start of this one. I) The contract will be scheduled so no overlap shall occur.
| 007 |
| Will questions from other contractors be distributed among all contractors that inquire on this project? |
| Questions received from contractors are transcribed verbatim to this RFI log and distributed as an amendment to this solicitation in SAM.gov. |
| 008 |
| SOW Sec. C.3 / Att. 4 & 5 (Aggregate Specs); Does the Government maintain an approved source list or require independent testing/certification for the 1-inch minus aggregate (Table 31-2, Grading G), or is the Offeror solely responsible for identifying and certifying a compliant aggregate source prior to award? |
| There is no approved source list or required testing for the 1-inch minus aggregate the offeror is solely responsible for identifying and using a compliant aggregate source. |
| 009 |
| SOW Sec. C.3 (Water Availability); Government water is stated as not available on site. Can the Government confirm the nearest approved water source(s) in Springerville or Alpine, the estimated haul distance to the project site, and whether any water rights or withdrawal permits are required? |
| The government does not have approved water sources. There are no specific testing needed for the water to be used on the project. However, the contractor cannot use any water from the lakes, streams, or rivers. Nearby water sources such as Springerville have a haul distance of approximately 25 miles. It takes a bit less than a hour. Water from Sunrise Ski Resort is approximately 20 miles away. You should not require water rights, but you will need to purchase the water. |
| 010 |
| SOW Sec. C.3 (Haul Roads); Since creation of new roads or turnarounds is not allowed, can the Government designate the specific existing haul routes and staging/turnout areas contractors may use, along with any weight, width, or seasonal access restrictions on those routes? |
| Most of the roads are the NFSR249E have no weight or width restrictions. Access to the Big Lake roads (AZ 261 and AZ 273) where the site is at are closed December through April. It may be easier for the contractor to have haul trucks continue on the NFSR116 to the AZ-273 after dropping off loads as this way they would not need to worry about turning. Contractor may existing road intersections to turn such as intersection with Railroad cove (NFSR 249G), South cove (NFSR 249F), or NFSR 68. Contractors are not permitted to have haul trucks drive off existing roads (ex. Into surrounding fields) to turn. |
| 011 |
| Solicitation p.1 (Site Visit); Since no organized site visit is scheduled, can the Government provide recent site photographs/video or a point of contact to arrange an informal, unescorted site visit prior to the proposal due date? |
| Road conditions are variable as the road receives high traffic use as a popular recreation road. The Forest Service regularly blades the road. Contractors can drive the road as work is for the entire length of the NFSR 249E. COR can be contacted for a site visit prior to the proposal date. Email is Elal.Segev@usda.gov. |
| 012 |
| SOW Sec. C.3 (Unstable Areas); Can the Government provide any existing geotechnical data, prior road condition assessments, or an estimate of the extent (linear footage/area) of soft or unstable areas anticipated to require excavation/undercut repair prior to aggregate placement? |
| No excavation/undercut repair prior to aggregate placement is expected. |
| 013 |
| SOW Sec. C.3 (Camping Permit); What is the anticipated processing time for the Forest Service district-issued camping permit referenced in the SOW, and could this affect the Contractor's ability to mobilize and begin performance within the mandatory 10-calendar-day NTP window? |
| The camping permit can be issued within a few days of being given notice of when work will begin. Permit can be issued when contractor submits the schedule for the work. It should not affect the contractor’s ability to mobilize or begin work. |
| 014 |
| Attachment 7 - Industrial Fire Plan; Can the Government confirm the anticipated Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) restrictions expected during the performance period, including any equipment shutdown hours, spark arrestor requirements, or water tender staffing requirements? |
| Since the work is anticipated to begin early spring there should be no fire restrictions expected. If it happens this fall there are currently no fire restrictions. |
| 015 |
| Solicitation p.1 (Key Dates); Please confirm whether the August 21, 2026 questions-due date and the September 3, 2026 proposal-due date remain current, or whether any amendment has been issued adjusting these dates. |
| Information to include any changes to this solicitation will be published as an amendment in SAM.gov. |
| 016 |
| Attachment 2 - Schedule of Items; The Schedule of Items appears to consolidate haul, placement, stabilization, and compaction into a single roadway line item (CLIN 0001). Can the Government confirm whether a lump-sum/unit price per CLIN is acceptable, or whether a cost breakdown by work component must be submitted with the quotation? |
| Lump sum/unit price per contract line item is acceptable. We do not need a cost breakdown by work components. |
| 017 |
| Solicitation p.16 (FAR 52.217-6 / 52.217-7); The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.217-6 and 52.217-7 (Option for Increased Quantity / Separately Priced Line Item). Can the Government confirm whether an option exists to increase the scope or quantity of this requirement (e.g., additional roadway mileage or a substantially expanded quantity), and if so, provide the associated CLIN structure, estimated option quantities, and the option exercise period? |
| Any option to increase the scope or quantity of this requirement (e.g., additional roadway mileage or a substantially expanded quantity) will be captured in an amendment with revised or new attachments as applicable. |
| 018 |
| SOW Sec. C.3 (Permits); Beyond the camping permit, can the Government identify any other permits anticipated for this scope of work (e.g., state DOT encroachment, county road use, dust/air quality, or other environmental permits), and confirm whether any permit fees are known in advance? |
| No other permits are anticipated for the scope of work beyond the camping permit. There should be no |
| 019 |
| Attachment 8 – BioPreferred; Can the Government confirm which specific product categories under the BioPreferred program apply to this project (e.g., only the stabilization product, or also other consumables such as fuels/lubricants)? |
| Refer to Clause 52.223-2, 52.223-23, and Welcome to the Biopreferred Program Catalog USDA website. |
| 020 |
| Solicitation p.6, FAR 52.236-6 / Project Staffing; May one qualified individual serve concurrently as the Quality Control Manager (QCM), Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO), and Superintendent for this project, provided the individual meets all applicable qualification, availability, and on-site performance requirements for each role? If not, please identify which positions must be staffed by separate individuals. |
| Pursuant to FAR 52.236‑6, ‘Superintendence by the Contractor,’ a single competent individual serving as superintendent, who has the authority to act on behalf of the Contractor, may perform multiple roles as assigned and must be satisfactory to the Contracting Officer. |